EP3694656B1 - Fluid product dispenser - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a fluid product dispenser comprising a fluid product reservoir and a conventional manual pump defining a pump chamber of variable volume between a pump body and an actuating rod. The purpose of moving the actuating rod is to vary the volume of the pump chamber which defines, in the rest position, a predetermined maximum volume. This type of dispenser is very frequently used in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics or even pharmacy to dispense fluid products of various viscosities.

In the prior art, the document is already known FR2978431 which describes a fluid product dispenser comprising a fluid product reservoir, and a pump comprising a pump body and an actuating rod defining between them a pump chamber having a predetermined maximum volume. The rod is axially movable in the body to vary the volume of the pump chamber. The dispenser further comprises a dispensing cannula mounted on the actuating rod and comprising a dispensing outlet able to form a drop of fluid product which separates from the cannula by gravity. The predetermined maximum volume of the pump chamber is substantially equal to the volume of the drop of fluid product dispensed at the level of the dispensing head.

The present invention seeks in particular to optimize this fluid dispenser of the prior art, but also others, by making them refillable, so that the user can keep part of the dispenser and buy refill cartridges. An object of the present invention is precisely to facilitate the installation of these refill cartridges by means of easy, intuitive, ergonomic and repeatable handling, while guaranteeing perfect cleanliness (no loss of drop).

• un étui pourvu d'une tête de distribution, et
• une cartouche de recharge comprenant un réservoir de produit fluide,

dans lequel la cartouche de recharge est insérable axialement dans l'étui de manière à raccorder le réservoir de produit fluide à la tête de distribution, la cartouche de recharge et l'étui étant pourvus de moyens de connexion par vissage de la cartouche de recharge dans l'étui pour amener le réservoir de produit fluide en contact étanche avec la tête de distribution, le déplacement, après vissage, de la cartouche de recharge dans l'étui vers la tête de distribution alimentant du produit fluide vers la tête de distribution. Ainsi, c'est le vissage qui permet de déplacer la cartouche de recharge pour créer une connexion étanche, avant d'actionner le distributeur. L'étanchéité peut être aussi bien axiale que radiale, voire les deux en même temps.To do this, the present invention proposes a fluid dispenser comprising:

• a case provided with a dispensing head, and
• a refill cartridge comprising a reservoir of fluid product,

in which the refill cartridge can be inserted axially into the case so as to connect the reservoir of fluid product to the dispensing head, the refill cartridge and the case being provided with connection means by screwing the refill cartridge into the case to bring the reservoir of fluid product into sealed contact with the dispensing head, the displacement, after screwing, of the refill cartridge in the case towards the dispensing head supplying fluid product to the dispensing head. Thus, it is the screwing that makes it possible to move the refill cartridge to create a sealed connection, before actuating the dispenser. The sealing can be both axial and radial, or even both at the same time.

Advantageously, the refill cartridge comprises a rotary actuation ring which is guided in axial sliding on the fluid reservoir, but which drives the refill cartridge in rotation in the case to perform the screwing. Preferably, the rotary actuation ring is removably snapped onto the fluid reservoir by rotating on itself over an angular stroke limited by the connection means. In practice, the user grasps the case by its rotating actuating ring and begins by introducing the reservoir of fluid product into the case until the connection means come into mutual engagement. The user then presses on the ring to snap it onto the case. In doing so, the connection means are in a configuration which will allow the user to impart a rotational movement to the rotary actuation ring, which will carry with it the reservoir of fluid product which will be screwed onto or into the case. Once the screwing operation is complete, the user can press the reservoir to move it in the direction of the dispensing head and thus dispense fluid product through the head, in the form of a drop, a spray, a trickle or a hazelnut.

Advantageously, the connection means comprise at least one cam track formed by the case and at least one pin formed by the fluid reservoir, the pin being engaged in the cam track and traversing the cam track during rotation of the actuating ring. According to an interesting embodiment, the cam path can be in the form of a slot which crosses the thickness of the wall of the case, the pin crossing the slot and comprising a free end which is engaged in a groove of axial guide formed inside the rotary actuation ring. Preferably, the slot comprises an access opening through which the pin enters an initial axial slot portion, before the rotary actuation ring snaps onto the case, the pin, after snapping the ring of rotary actuation on the case, then continuing its course in an inclined slot portion as the rotary actuation ring is rotated on the case, until reaching a final axial slot portion, in which the pin can move axially by bearing on the fluid reservoir to dispense fluid through the dispensing head.

According to another practical aspect, the fluid reservoir may comprise a barrel and a push button fixed, advantageously by snap-fastening, to the barrel, the push button forming said at least one pin and a bearing surface for axially moving the refill cartridge in the case and thus dispense fluid product through the dispensing head. Alternatively, the push button can be integrally integrated into the case.

Advantageously, the barrel comprises a follower piston which moves as fluid product is extracted from the reservoir. A soft pouch could also be used.

According to a practical embodiment, the refill cartridge can comprise a pump associated with the reservoir of fluid product, the pump being connected in a sealed manner to the dispensing head by the connection means. More specifically, the dispensing head may include a connection sleeve and the pump includes a valve stem which is engaged in the connection sleeve creating a radial seal.

According to a preferred application, the dispensing head may comprise a dispensing cannula capable of forming a drop of fluid product which separates from the cannula by gravity.

One of the principles of the invention resides in the fact that the sealed connection of the refill cartridge in the case is effected by a screwing movement, the axial component of which is used to create the seal. The implementation of a rotating actuating ring facilitates the screwing operation, which is almost no longer perceptible for the user who only proceeds with a simple rotation of the ring which takes the tank with it. in a screwing motion (rotary and axial components combined).

The present invention will now be more fully described with reference to the attached drawings giving by way of non-limiting example an embodiment of the present invention.

• La figure 1 est une vue en section transversale verticale à travers un distributeur de produit fluide selon l'invention, et
• La figure 2 est une vue agrandie de la partie haute de l'étui de la figure 1.

In the figures:

• The figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a fluid product dispenser according to the invention, and
• The picture 2 is an enlarged view of the upper part of the case of the figure 1 .

The dispenser shown in the figures comprises two distinct sub-assemblies, namely a case E and a refill cartridge C. A protective cover 31, mounted on the case E, may also be provided.

The case E is a hollow shell in which the refill cartridge C is housed. The case E comprises a main body 15 which here is of cylindrical circular shape. Other shapes are possible. This main body 15 comprises an open upper end 16 and a lower end which is extended by a dispenser head 11 which forms a cannula 12. The case E and the cannula 12 are here made in one piece. The dispensing cannula 12 can be made of a transparent material such as for example glass, or a plastic material. The cannula 12 may have a perfect symmetry of revolution around a longitudinal axis X. The cannula 12 extends from a connection sleeve 13 to a dispensing outlet 14 able to form a drop of fluid product which separates from the cannula by gravity. The volume of the drops distributed is of the order of 50 to 70 microliters. The dispensing cannula 12 has an elongated general configuration, similar to a conventional pipette.

According to the invention, with reference to the picture 2 , it can be seen that the upper open end 16 of the case E is formed with at least one cam track which is in the form of a cam slot 17 which passes through the wall thickness of the case. This cam slot 17 defines an access opening 171 extending from the upper annular edge of the case, an initial axial slot portion 172, an angled slot portion 173 and a final axial slot portion 174 of oblong shape. In practice, it is preferable to provide at least two cam slots 17. Furthermore, the upper open end 16 of the case E is formed with at least one snap-in rib 18, and preferably two, which extend in sectors peripherally projecting outwards. The ratchet ribs 18 are located at the final axial slot portion 174.

The refill cartridge C comprises a reservoir of fluid product R, a push button 25 and a rotary actuation ring 26.

The fluid reservoir R comprises a cylindrical sliding barrel 21 inside which is slidably mounted a follower piston 22. A reservoir of variable capacity is thus formed, as the follower piston 22 moves at the interior of the sliding barrel 21. With this type of tank, the fluid product contained in the tank R is always sheltered from the outside air, and thus cannot deteriorate.

The push button 25 is arranged at the end of the sliding barrel 21, above the follower piston 12, when the reservoir is filled with fluid product. The push button 25 forms a sleeve 252 which is integral with the barrel 21, for example by a definitive snap-fastening 211. Alternatively, the push button 2 can be glued, welded or engaged by force in the barrel 21. The push button 25 defines a support surface on which a user can press, for example using his thumb. Thus, by pressing the push button 25, pressure is exerted on the reservoir R, as will be seen below.

According to the invention, the push button 25 forms at least one pin 253, and preferably two, which extend in a diametrically opposite manner projecting outwards from the socket 252. These pins 253 define free ends 254. The pins 253 are intended to be engaged in the cam slots 17 of the case E, as will be seen below.

The refill cartridge C also comprises a pump 23 which can be considered as an accessory of the reservoir R. The pump 3 conventionally comprises a pump body 230 internally forming a pump chamber 231 of variable capacity, but defining a predetermined maximum volume in position. rest. The pump is delimited by the pump body 230, but also by an actuating rod 24 provided with a piston 242. The pump 23 is also provided with an inlet valve 232 and a head valve which can be integrated or integral with the actuating rod 24. Thus, by pressing on the actuating rod 24, the volume of the pump chamber 231 varies from its maximum volume which can be of the order of 50 to 70 microliters. The actuating rod 24 is movable from its rest position against a return spring 233 which is located outside the pump chamber. The dose of fluid product dispensed substantially corresponds to the predetermined maximum volume of the pump chamber. In other words, the pump distributes on each actuation substantially all of the fluid present in the pump chamber. The spring 233 thus returns the pump chamber 231 to its predetermined maximum volume configuration. This is an entirely conventional design for a manual pump in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics or even pharmacy.

Furthermore, the internal volume of the cannula 12 corresponds approximately to 3 to 7 times, and preferably 4 to 6 times, the maximum volume of the pump chamber 231, which is of the order of 50 to 70 microliters. In other words, the internal volume of the cannula is of the order of 150 to 500 microliters. Preferably, the internal volume is of the order of 200 to 400 microliters with a preference for 300 microliters. Thus, the contents of the pump chamber 231, which is pushed back under pressure through the actuating rod 24, arrives in the cannula 12 which is already filled with fluid product. The considerably larger volume of the cannula with respect to the dose dispensed makes it possible to create a considerable pressure drop in the cannula, which makes it possible to avoid the dispensing of the fluid product in pulverized form. The fluid product is therefore absorbed in the cannula before detaching therefrom by gravity in the form of a drop whose capacity is of the order of 50 to 70 microliters.

According to the invention, the rotary actuation ring 26 of the refill cartridge C comprises at least one, and preferably two, axial guide grooves 261 which extend vertically or axially inside the ring 26. These grooves 261 are open upwards and closed downwards. Furthermore, the rotary actuating ring 26 also forms an annular snap groove 262, which can extend continuously over the entire outer periphery of the case, or only in sectors, which can be intercalated with the grooves 261.

On the figure 1 , it can be seen that the socket 252 of the push button 25 extends concentrically inside the case E, which itself extends concentrically inside the rotary actuation ring 26. The two pins 253 cross the two cam slots 17 of the case, in the position indicated in dotted line on the picture 2 . The free ends 254 of the pins 253 are engaged in the two axial guide grooves 261 of the rotary actuation ring 26, the annular snap grooves 262 of which are in releasable snap engagement with the snap ribs 18 of the case. E. In this operational dispensing position, a user can grasp the dispenser by the case E in the palm of his hand and press the push button 25 using his thumb. The actuation is thus similar or similar to that of a conventional pipette. Since the case E completely hides the reservoir R (and his pump 23), he is not even aware that he is activating a pump by pressing the push button 25. He simply notices that by pressing the push button 25, a well-formed drop of fluid product falls by gravity from from the end of the outlet 14 of the cannula 12.

To reach this operational dispensing position, the user first had to grasp a refill cartridge C with one hand and the case E with the other hand. The free ends 254 of the pins 253 are already engaged in the two axial guide grooves 261 of the rotary actuation ring 26, which can thus slide axially around the push button 25. He then inserted the reservoir R (with its pump 23) into the case E until so that the pins 253 come into contact with the upper edge of the case E. He then seizes the refill cartridge C by the rotary actuating ring 26 which he rotates until the pins 253 are engage in the access openings 171 of the cam slots 17. He feels at this moment a point of axial hardness which he can overcome, thus snapping the annular snap-fastening groove 262 around the snap-fastening ribs 18 of the case E. In doing so, pins 253 moved axially to gain the bottom of the po rtion of initial axial slot 172. From this configuration, the user rotates the rotary actuation ring 26 on itself, which forces the pins 253, engaged in the axial guide grooves 261, to follow the portion of inclined slot 173, thus moving the reservoir and the push button axially in the direction of the dispensing head 11. In doing so, the free end 241 of the valve stem 24 is engaged in the connection sleeve 13 of the head distribution 11 by creating an axial sealing contact, or preferably radial. At the end of the rotation of the rotary actuator ring 26, the pins 253 are located in the final axial slot portion 174 of oblong shape, as shown in the picture 2 in dotted lines. The dispenser can then be used as described above by pressing the push button 25 to dispense a drop of fluid product.

It is understood that the pins 253 and the cam slots 17 together form connection means by screwing, which allow connect the refill cartridge in a sealed manner to the dispensing head 11 of the case E. The rotary actuating ring 26 cleverly completes these screw connection means by improving the grip of the refill cartridge C, by facilitating the angular orientation of the refill cartridge C relative to the case E to find the access opening 171, by snapping in a removable but rotatable manner on the case E, by transforming the screwing movement (axial / rotary) in a purely rotary movement and by masking or dressing the push button 25. These functions are all implemented in the embodiment which served to illustrate the present invention, but it is obvious that the rotary actuating ring 26 could perform only one of the functions listed above.

Without departing from the scope of the invention, the pump can also form an integral part of the case and the dispensing head 11 can be free of the dispensing cannula 12 as described above. The dispensing head 11 could incorporate a nozzle to form a spray or even be provided with an applicator.

Claims (11)

1. A fluid dispenser comprising:

   • a casing (E) that is provided with a dispenser head (11), and

   • a refill cartridge (C) that includes a fluid reservoir (R),

   wherein the refill cartridge (C) is axially insertable into the casing (E) in such a manner as to connect the fluid reservoir (R) to the dispenser head (11),
   the fluid dispenser being characterized in that the refill cartridge (C) and the casing (E) are provided with connection means (17, 253) for connecting the refill cartridge (C) in the casing (E) by screw-fastening, so as to bring the fluid reservoir (R) into leaktight contact with the dispenser head (11), the movement, after screw-fastening, of the refill cartridge (C) in the casing (E) towards the dispenser head (11) delivering the fluid to the dispenser head (11).
2. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the refill cartridge (C) includes a rotary actuator ring (26) that is guided in axial sliding over the fluid reservoir (R), but that turns the refill cartridge (C) in the casing (E) so as to perform screw-fastening.
3. A dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the rotary actuator ring (26) is snap-fastened in removable manner on the fluid reservoir (R), turning about its own axis over an angular stroke that is limited by the connection means (17, 253).
4. A dispenser according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the connection means comprise at least one cam path (17) that is formed by the casing (E), and at least one pin (253) that is formed by the fluid reservoir (R), the pin (253) being engaged in the cam path (17) and following the cam path (17) while turning the rotary actuator ring (26).
5. A dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the cam path is in the form of a cam slot (17) that passes through the wall thickness of the casing (E), the pin (253) passing through the cam slot (17) and including a free end (254) that is engaged in an axial guide groove (261) that is formed inside the rotary actuator ring (26).
6. A dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the cam slot (17) includes an access opening (171) via which the pin (253) penetrates into an initial axial slot portion (172), before the rotary actuator ring (26) snap-fastens on the casing (E), the pin (253), after snap-fastening the rotary actuator ring (26) on the casing (E), then following its path into a sloping slot portion (173) as the rotary actuator ring (26) turns on the casing (E), until it reaches a final axial slot portion (174), in which the pin (253) can move axially by pressing on the fluid reservoir (R) so as to dispense fluid through the dispenser head (11).
7. A dispenser according to one of the claim 4-6, wherein the fluid reservoir (R) includes a cylinder (21) and a pushbutton (25) that is fastened to the cylinder (21), advantageously by snap-fastening, the pushbutton (25) forming said at least one pin (253) and a bearing surface (251) so as to move the refill cartridge (C) axially in the casing (E) and thus dispense fluid through the dispenser head (11).
8. A dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the cylinder (21) includes a follower piston (22) that moves as the fluid is removed from the fluid reservoir (R).
9. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the refill cartridge (C) includes a pump (23) that is associated with the fluid reservoir (R), the pump (23) being connected in leaktight manner to the dispenser head (11) via the connection means (17, 253).
10. A dispenser according to claim 9, wherein the dispenser head (11) includes a connection sleeve (13), and the pump (23) includes a valve rod (24) that is engaged in the connection sleeve (13) thereby establishing radial sealing.
11. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the dispenser head (11) includes a dispenser cannula (12) that is suitable for forming a drop of fluid that separates from the dispenser cannula (12) by gravity.

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